A previously healthy planted area mixed evergreens trees and bushes of varigated holly suddenly started to die off over the last winter & no sign of budding now...There might be a problem with our Septic tank nearby could this be the cause ??

28 Feb, 2011

Answers

The septic tank should not be causing the problems unless you use a lot of chemical cleaners in the house. In fact, the shrubs, especially the holly, would relish the extra wetness from a failed soakaway.
Could this be another victim of the early cold winter. We have an unusual situation with our long established female holly. It was laden with red berries in October. In November we had heavy snow and it was very cold. When the snow melted at the end of November the berries were black and since then the blackened berries and most of the leaves have fallen off. Time will tell if the holly is dead or not.